Mugello: Scuderia Ecosse race report

Mugello, Italy -- 17 September 2006: Chris Niarchos and Tim Mullen
took fifth place in today's FIA GT race in treacherous wet conditions,
more reminiscent of Knockhill than Tuscany! Before the race the rain
had been steadily falling all day, but...

Mugello, Italy -- 17 September 2006: Chris Niarchos and Tim Mullen
took fifth place in today's FIA GT race in treacherous wet conditions,
more reminiscent of Knockhill than Tuscany! Before the race the rain
had been steadily falling all day, but the conditions had eased just
before the start, leading the team to opt for drying wets, the tyre
between intermediates and full wets. Just two minutes before the green
flag, when it was too late to change tyres, the conditions worsened
dramatically. As the field came around to take the start the cars were
sliding all over the place then, just after crossing the line, the no.62
Ferrari, driven by Andrew Kirkaldy, aquaplaned straight off the track,
shortly to be followed by a spinning Porsche. Race over for car 62.
It was a real blow for the Scottish duo as Andrew Kirkaldy had taken
pole position on Saturday; his sixth pole of the season, the seventh
for the team, and the first ever five-poles-in-a-row for the FIA GT
Championship! Also, Nathan Kinch, who knows Mugello well, didn't get
a chance to race, so it was especially disappointing for the young
Aberdonian.

Tim Mullen meanwhile was trying to make the best of the conditions and
with twenty minutes gone he had pitted for full wets and was up to third
place, chasing down Rui Aguas. Before he was able to pass the tyres
began to go off as the rain had eased. He had a small 'off' at the one
hour mark but this caused no damage and he took the opportunity to pit
for drying wets. Once he rejoined, Tim was the fastest GT2 car on the
track and remained that way until the track had dried sufficiently for
intermediate tyres. Tim stayed out a little longer before pitting to
hand over to Chris Niarchos who bravely ventured out on slick tyres.

A dry line had started to appear around the track and Niarchos carefully
found his limit, getting faster and faster with each lap. Chris was
delighted to overtake ex-F1 star, Mika Salo, in the closing stages of
the race, and came over the line in fifth position after a thoroughly
enjoyable stint.

Chris Niarchos: "I've had a podium at Le Mans and now I've overtaken
Mika Salo so I think I'll retire! Just kidding! I was a little dubious
about going out on slicks; the first part of the lap was still pretty
wet so I tiptoed through there the first few times. After that the track
got better and better and I had a fantastic time. Passing Mika was the
icing on the cake."

Tim Mullen: "The first lap of that race was the scariest lap I've ever
driven; we were aquaplaning over the start/finish line in second gear at
30mph! The first lap was a case of creeping around hoping not to go off
or be collected by anyone else going off. I came in for full wets at the
end of the lap as it was undriveable and I was then able to get up as
high as third and give Aguas a hard time. As the track dried the tyres
started to go off but I needed to stay out and make the most of things.
Towards the end of my first stint I went off at the last corner after
I got a neutral and locked my wheels, so I came in for a set of drying
wets. Once I had those tyres on I was fastest in class before the track
dried enough for inters. By the time my run came to an end there was a
dry line so I pitted for slicks and Chris took over the driving."

Nathan Kinch: "What can I say? That must be my shortest race -- ever!"

Andrew Kirkaldy: "There was absolutely nothing I could do to stop that
happening. I tried to accelerate off the line but the car wiggled around
so I eased off. The Maserati in front of me then slowed so I wasn't
actually doing anything, just holding it in a straight line, and I
aquaplaned straight off."

Stewart Roden, Scuderia Ecosse Team Principal: "Obviously it's not great
for the Championship but at least no other Ferrari won the race (the
no.75 Ebimotors Porsche won the GT2 race). Chris certainly sounded like
he was enjoying himself out there today! It's a shame for Andrew and
Nathan but the conditions were dreadful. Let's hope Budapest is kinder
to us."

Thoughts now turn to Silverstone for Chris Niarchos and Tim Mullen as
the British GT Championship challenge is red hot as the season nears it
end.